The Magic's latest additions appear to be producing well on the offensive end, however a better defending energy has been exactly as important to their efforts within a 3 game winning run.
There is no reason they should not be capable to stay hunkering down versus the Cavs.
Orlando will try for a 4th consecutive win Tuesday evening as they wrap up a short 2 matchup stretch on the road from Cleveland, who have not scored 100 points regulation within more than a month.
The Magic (19 - 12) anticipated Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas & Hedo Turkoglu to supply a shot in the arm on the attack Following obtaining them December 18th. The trio are currently locating their footing, putting in a combined 46.4 % within the club's 3 straight victories Following sinking at a 24.5 % clip during 2 defeats.
Coach Stan Van Gundy have been just as disturbed by Orlando's defending problems within a 1 - 8 period December 4th to 21st. The Magic appear to have corrected these problems. After permitting 97.7 ppg during that 9 matchup rut, Orlando have gave up an average of 89.0 within their modest winning run.
The Magic kept the Celtics to 34.6 % from the floor within a Christmas Day victory, then kept Jersey to 39.7 % Monday while Hedo Turkoglu twenty points during a 104 - 88 victory.
If anything, Cleveland (8 - 22) have almost certainly done even less than anticipated in their 1st year of the post LeBron era. After dropping twenty-one games all of previous year with James, The Cavs endured defeat No. twenty-two not having him Sunday, losing 98 - 97 on their home court to the Timberwolves.
Cleveland could not keep a fourteen point edge early during the 4th quarter as they dropped a game the thirteenth occasion within fourteen matchups.
Predictably, The Cavs's largest issue not having James has been locating adequate offense to stay aggressive. Cleveland are putting in an League worst 41.0 % in December, & have not scored 100 points during regulation since a 111 - 100 defeat at The Magic on November 26th.
Scott, however, has been hardly performing back flips following a outing versus Orlando that directed Van Gundy to deem his club's defending effort terrible. The Cavs's coach ripped into the game's officials following viewing the game.
Dwight Howard put up twenty-four free throws - 4 more than Cleveland tried.
Orlando have picked up 3 consecutive during the series since previous year's All Star break mainly due to Jameer Nelson, who has put in 18.3 points & 6.3 within the wins.
The Cavs point guard Mo Williams has put in 19.2 points & 11.4 as he was recording 5 straight double doubles. He has 1 double double within twenty-one career games versus Orlando.
Cleveland may actually have to count on on Williams on Tuesday. Guard Daniel Gibson, the club's 3rd leading scorer behind Williams & Antawn Jamison, is possibly not available having the flu, & has scored 4.8 ppg during his career against The Magic his lowest average versus any competitor.